From the north: What’s happening at Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair

Scandi design is having a moment. But what exactly is on the agenda at the most popular Scandinavian design show? Expect plenty of Nordic inspo alongside Guests of Honour that are set to bring an Eastern flavour – Neri&Hu.

Taking place from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 February, the Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair brings plenty to the table in the way of design inspiration.

Temperament by Sahara Widoff.

Not quite as large as some of its other European counterparts, Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair brings together a mix of classic furniture brands alongside pop-up bars, talks and emerging talent.

Its quieter pace can even work to your advantage, making for a more orderly and achievable trade show experience.

The Design Bar, designed by Anderssen & Voll.

In 2019 the fair promises to look outside the typical Nordic influences, with award-winning Chinese duo Neri&Hu announced as the Guests of Honour. The pair has designed an installation situated in the entrance hall and is a response to the social issues transpiring in China.

“We wanted to deviate from the furniture fair’s conventional ambitions, which often focus on displaying product design, and instead link the exhibited objects and products to social issues that are unique to China. We recently started looking into the issue of disappearing villages and village culture, an alarming trend that greatly impacts the traditional notion of community, family and cultural roots.

The entrance hall, designed by Guests of Honour Neri&Hu.

“Since many of our products revolve around and are inspired by perceptions of nostalgia, the home, the family and the individual’s relationship to others in a collective, we wanted to create an exhibition that represents and captures the essence of the traditional Chinese village,” explain Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu.

Swedish brand Blå Station will exhibit its new BOB Job (available in Australia through P4).

Each year a new designer is tasked with designing The Design Bar. This year a combination of Scandinavian and Japanese influences comes together under the direction of Anderssen & Voll. The Norwegian design duo collaborated with chef Frida Ronge while the pavilion features a circular pine structure with a central courtyard.

Expect plenty of new releases from brands you know and love, alongside the events Greenhouse pavilion, which features the work of 37 up-and-coming designers. Some highlights from the newcomers including Finnish designer Teemu Perttunen and U.S. duo Jumbo.